AT&T Mobility CEO: all smartphones to be 3G within "months" -- including iPhone and Centro?

At AT&T's press feast today, the focus was unquestionably the trial deployment of Microsoft's Surface kiosks to stores later this month -- the presence of Microsoft's own Robbie Bach was testament to that fact. But there was more to the action by the time the show was over. Deployment of 3G and 4G services was a hot topic both during CEO Ralph de la Vega's presentation and in the post-conference Q&A (one member of the press lamented the fact that AT&T's BlackBerrys still lack HSDPA), and at one point he mentioned that all of the carrier's smartphones would be 3G within a matter of mere "months."

We figure that instantly thrusts several devices onto (and off of) AT&T's roadmap in the very near future, including a 3G iPhone and the BlackBerry 9000 we recently saw strutting its stuff. Of course, that would also preclude the just-introduced Palm Centro from hanging around for very long, since it tops out with EDGE speeds; last time we checked Garnet had a hard time handling HSDPA, so something's got to give. We're not writing the obit just yet -- CEOs' statements are often a mere shadow of reality, after all -- but it's certainly food for thought.

[iSeth @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:30AM]

Here that? Hmm, sounds like an iPhone that's running 3G. Shh, I'm going to go hunting for it...

Thanks Ralph de la Vega!

[tcardone05 @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:40AM]

So it's finally gonna catch up with the majority of AT&T phones costing over $50? Whoop de do.

[iSeth @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:44AM]

But do the majority of the AT&T phones are as neat and revolutionary as the iPhone? (Or even all networks?)I'll say no to that one.

[rTwelve @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:09AM]

I like Apple products, own an iPod touch, want an iPhone and a Mac, and I can tell you iSeth's a douche.

[Kev @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:35AM]

So does that mean the AT&T Centro would be discontinued in months? I don't believe it, this is the US, not Japan.

[Chris Perkins @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:37AM]

Man everytime I submit 3g iphone rumors they never put them up. Now they do when I give up? What's the deal Engadget, why all the hate? But on a more important note, stop buying iphones ppl. The price for them is ridiculous since a new version seems very likely. I have been holding out for two months already for this very reason. .....so don't say Engadget and others didn't warn you if you spend 400 for an iphone today.

[Tony @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:48AM]

I know I'm buying my iPhone today.

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:13AM]

I have an iPhone and I do love it but I would never recommend to anyone to buy one now. I would recommend waiting at this point. 3G is going to make the iPhone so much better. I don't regret buying my iPhone when I did, but buying one right now is not advisable in my opinion. At this point, wait for 3G.

[mymaclife @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:19AM]

Holding out to buy any technology is pointless, it's like not dating the girl you like in case a better one comes along in the future.

I've had a great time with my iPhone since last November, I'd rather have that than live in fear of a better one coming out one day (which it will) that's life!

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:26AM]

"Holding out to buy any technology is pointless, it's like not dating the girl you like in case a better one comes along in the future."

In general I agree. I didn't wait when I bought my iPhone. But at this point I suspect that the release of a 3G iPhone is imminent (within a few months, perhaps?). Personally, at this point in time I would wait but I guess that's a decision for the individual.

[Twitchy @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:46AM]

I'm holding out for a 3G iPhone. But not because I want to. Vodafone NZ won't carry the current iPhone until it is 3G capable as they don't support EDGE.

[Chris Perkins @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:26AM]

I didn't say always wait for tech. I agree with you that it is pointless to do that since new tech is constantly coming out. However, you have to realize that this is Apple. They develop a product and it is expected to run a good year before an update is rolled out. Not to mention they never have sales on older models before/right after newer ones come out. What I am saying is when you know there is better tech coming out sooner rather than later that will most likely cost the same or be negligible in price difference you are a fool unless you have loads of money to blow. I will not feel sorry for people buying iphones now that regret it when a 3g model rolls out. I never bought an iphone from the beginning because of all the issues I felt it had holding it back. With all the jailbreaking and unlocking of the phone it has become a very capable device, but ultimately is still one legged in that it is Edge. If you can land an iphone for 200-300 than I would say good deal, but paying anything equal or more than what they go for from Apple/At&t isn't a smart move in my book.

[Mursin @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:37AM]

I was recently down in Texas for a training class, and i got to meet Mr. DeLa Vega and I must say he was very open and took time to talk about our new "toys" coming out this year, the man even responds to his own emails, cool guy

[rock99rock @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:48PM]

What toys? NDA does not apply when posting on engadget... its in the fine print somewhere :)

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:39AM]

Gawd I hope so... I have an iPhone and I do love it, but the 3G thing is the one big area where iPhone is lacking. I'll be ready to upgrade as soon as I can.

Signed, iPhone fan, not fanboy.

[Billy @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:49AM]

Man that is some crazy hair in that picture.

PS: 3G iPhone = yay!

[Brian f @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:53AM]

I'm waiting on 3G to drop the hammer on iPhone; I also second the hair comment. If this guy was my boss I couldn't help but rip on him all day for looking like such a goofball.

[Andir3.0 @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:25AM]

Two words: Micro Machines.

[Maestro @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:51AM]

Just shave the lettuce already!

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:05AM]

Ryan, I'm a bit confused... Isn't anything AT&T going to lack HSDPA since AT&T doesn't support HSDPA? I'm on AT&T because I have an iPhone, which I love, and it does seem to me that HSDPA is a superior type of network. Still, if AT&T doesn't support it, isn't it silly to bitch about lack of support for HSDPA on the Blackberry on the AT&T network when AT&T isn't capable of supporting it? I think you have to choose your network first, then your device unless you choose your device first and then decide to live with whatever the network your chosen device is capable of supporting with the understanding that you shouldn't bitch about it later. I knew full well that I wasn't going to get 3G or HSDPA with my iPhone and that's fine. I CHOSE IT, and I'll live with that decision because I love my iPhone.

[megapopular @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:17AM]

Huh? AT&T 3g network "USES" HSDPA/UTMS... what are you smoking, dude?

[CB17 @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:21AM]

Wow that Verizon propaganda really does work.

[megapopular @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:25AM]

happy_penguin, you might want to research your network a LITTLE BIT MORE... plus you said, "I'm on AT&T because I have an iPhone, which I love,"... so, did you choose your network first, or did love of the iPhone get you to join AT&T. Honestly, you know little about AT&T Wireless... that's painfully obvious. This isn't the best place to try to flex knowledge that you don't possess.

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:25AM]

I'm not smoking anything. Apparently I didn't understand. My bad. Regardless, iPhone doesn't support the higher speed network, whatever that is. Verizon supports something else, EVDO?... I think that's what I was thinking of. Damn, I should research before posting. :o

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:27AM]

megapopular
@ Apr 3rd 2008 2:25AM
"happy_penguin, you might want to research your network a LITTLE BIT MORE... plus you said, "I'm on AT&T because I have an iPhone, which I love,"... so, did you choose your network first, or did love of the iPhone get you to join AT&T. Honestly, you know little about AT&T Wireless... that's painfully obvious. This isn't the best place to try to flex knowledge that you don't possess."

Sorry again guys, my bad.

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:33AM]

Oh, and yes I did go with AT&T because I wanted the iPhone. I was on Verizon before that. I did state that I was confused about all of it. I am not trying to say I know all of this shit, sheesh! :D

[megapopular @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:35AM]

happy_penguin, no problem dude... but here's the scoop. 3G for AT&T is using HSDPA/UTMS. This AT&T Wireless upper level boss said that soon all smart phones for AT&T will support HSDPA/UTMS. Engadget is saying that this would mean that phones that don't have a 3G chip in them would have to be pulled from the sales channel. Currently, this iteration of the iPhone doesn't have a 3G chip in it just like a lot of AT&T phones. Hope this helps.

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:47AM]

I think I got it now. HSDPA is what AT&T uses as their 3G network, Verizon uses EVDO, I think? There is a report as of late which I believe says that Apple is happy with some current 3G chip which suggests that they will incorporate it to their next gen iPhone. The report I read said that this is the chip which Jobs was waiting for from a standpoint of power usage. I'll be looking forward to it when I'm ready to upgrade.

[Ubuntu 7.10 WindowsXP @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:28AM]

That dudes hair piece is 3G too I hope.

[giuliop @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:38AM]

I'm not sure, looks a lot more like 1G (beta) to me: it's lacking pretty much everything.

[Ubuntu 7.10 WindowsXP @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:45PM]

Then he should extend his hair service for the free upgrade.

[StuckUpPhoneGuy @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:30AM]

Baby goes to sleep now.

[gabe @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:38AM]

I think Robbie Batch needs to move some of his mustache to the top of his head.

[CB17 @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:15AM]

That would be Ralph de la Vega, not Robbie Bach. Joke failed...

[Framit @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:25AM]

Actually, he said Robbie Batch. For all we know that could be some guy he knows, and he is just making a blanket statement about him on a random blog.

[potato @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:07AM]

I feel bad for this guy. Apple is notorious for their punishment of leaks, both internal and external. If this is true, he will no doubt be punished, maybe even lose his job.

[Ayle @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:19AM]

Apple have no say in how ATT manage their PR and Apple didn't do anything either when Orange leaked that they were getting the iPhone.

[Ayle @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:20AM]

Apple have no say in how ATT manage their PR and Apple didn't do anything either when Orange leaked that they were getting the iPhone.

[ShortFuse @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:05AM]

The CEO os AT&T Mobility is going to be fired? What?

[JohnM @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:26AM]

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article3460650.ece

So June it is...

btw, I have an n95 so I'm not an iphone fanboy - even though I do like the look, but no 3G was the put off for me!

[cdman98 @ Apr 3rd 2008 5:51AM]

11 months is a matter of months and short of a year. I wouldn't get my hopes up that the iPhone or all other ATT smart phones are going to be 3G.

[Killshot @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:07AM]

I could see that they would launch by the start of the 3rd quarter (July/August time frame to ensure that it would make the holiday sales and not be out of stock like the original launch of the iPhone.) This would also make sense with the earlier announcement this year on the expansion of the 3G network. (Have they covered the top 100 markets yet with the HSPDA service?) I would think once the network is rolled out to the medium and smaller sized markets and there is better coverage we will see the 3G iPhone. After all what good is a 3G iPhone if you only have EDGE in your market?

Also what would it take for Palm to update the Centro to 3G? Just because it's not currently a 3G device doesn't mean that they couldn't revamp it. The Palm 750 is currently a 3G device so they should be able to upgrade the Centro very easily?

[Twitchy @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:17AM]

3G is of interest to the hundreds of millions in mobile markets which already are serviced by 3G. Just because the US domestic market is lagging behind somewhat in this regard does not mean that the rest of the world should be made to wait for a product. Apple serves a global market, not just your street.

[Ben @ Apr 3rd 2008 7:52AM]

So what happens now? In a few more months after all phones are 3G they discontinue EDGE and force all current iPhone users to buy a new phone? That would fit the apple model. I just really don't want to fork out another $400.

[zachary miller @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:42AM]

I doubt they would discontinue EDGE because there are still other countries that operate it and at&t wouldn't want to lose roaming revenues from foreign tourists. The system will be a little less clutered though if they ran more high speed data rather than low speed data.

[T-Bone @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:14AM]

Will they also expand the 3G network so I don't have to drive an hour to experience 3G?

[Galley @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:54AM]

Will the 3G network be ready? Sprint missed their promised launch date here in Greenville, SC by 15 months!

[gaijin @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:22PM]

well de la vega is an idiot. used to work for at&t (then cingular) and he was a little lower down the food chain then. came in to our call center. he is just a puppet talking about what the real techs tell him. he has no idea about cell phones or technology in general. oh and also his hair in real life made me laugh.

[Keisha Kornbread @ Apr 4th 2008 11:50AM]

About time!!

[Preston28 @ Apr 20th 2008 11:35AM]

Hello everyone. There is a major difference between EVDO 3G and UMTS/HSPA 3G. Both are high speed, but evdo means evolution DATA ONLY(VZW and Sprint changed the ONLY to Optimized). That means you can only use the device for data or voice, not both at the same time. You can tether to a laptop and surf the web and still receive phone calls with UMTS devices. The Palm operating system (Centro) cannot funciton as a UMTS/HSPA 3g device. The Palm 750 is a MS Windows device which can handle UMTS/HSPA 3g service. You cannot upgrade Palm OS devices to work on UMTS.